Careful, He Might Hear You (film)

Last updated

Careful, He Might Hear You
Carefulmighthearyou.jpg
DVD artwork.
Directed by Carl Schultz
Screenplay by Michael Jenkins
Based on Careful, He Might Hear You (novel)
by Sumner Locke Elliott
Produced by Jill Robb
Starring Wendy Hughes
Robyn Nevin
Nicholas Gledhill
Cinematography John Seale
Edited by Richard Francis-Bruce
Music by Ray Cook
Production
company
Syme International
Distributed by 20th Century Fox (US)
Release date
  • 1983 (1983)
Running time
110 minutes
CountryAustralia
LanguageEnglish
BudgetA$2.2 million [1]
Box office$2,431,126 (Australia)

Careful, He Might Hear You is a 1983 multi-award winning Australian drama film. It is based on the 1963 novel of the same name by Australian-American author Sumner Locke Elliott. It won eight awards, including Best Film and Best Direction, at the 1983 Australian Film Institute (AFI) Awards (now known as AACTA Awards). [2]

Contents

Plot

The film stars Wendy Hughes and Robyn Nevin as two sisters who are locked in a custody battle over their young nephew, PS, played by Nicholas Gledhill. PS has been raised by his aunt Lila (Nevin) and her husband George since his mother died soon after his birth. When Lila's richer sister Vanessa (Hughes) returns from overseas, she seeks custody of PS, citing the opportunities she can give him.

Cast

Production

There had long been interest in making a film out of the novel. In the 1960s it was announced that Joshua Logan would direct a movie version starring Elizabeth Taylor but this did not come to pass. Film rights to the novel were bought by Jill Robb who hired Mike Jenkins to adapt the screenplay and Carl Schultz to direct. Funding was obtained from the New South Wales Film Corporation among others. [1]

After an extensive search, Nicholas Gledhill, son of actor Arthur Dignam was cast as PS.

The film was shot in and around Sydney, mostly in Neutral Bay and Darling Point. [1] The Hordern Family garden and mansion, Babworth House, in Darling Point was used in filming.

Box office

Careful, He Might Hear You grossed $2,431,126 at the box office in Australia. [3] The movie also enjoyed a successful release in North America. [1]

Home media

A Collector's Edition of Careful, He Might Hear You was released on DVD with a new print by Umbrella Entertainment in June 2008. The DVD is compatible with all regional codes and includes special features such as the film trailer, bonus trailers, a still photo gallery, an interview with Sumner Locke Elliot and interviews with stars Wendy Hughes, Nicholas Gledhill and Jill Robb. [4]

A regular edition of the film with reduced special features was released on DVD by Umbrella Entertainment in October 2008.

Accolades

AwardCategorySubjectResult
AACTA Awards
(1983 AFI Awards)
Best Film Jill Robb Won
Best Direction Carl Schultz Won
Best Adapted Screenplay Michael Jenkins Won
Best Actor Nicholas Gledhill Nominated
Best Actress Wendy Hughes Won
Best Supporting Actor John Hargreaves Won
Best Supporting Actress Robyn Nevin Nominated
Best Cinematography John Seale Won
Best Editing Richard Francis-Bruce Nominated
Best Original Music Score Ray Cook Nominated
Best Sound Syd ButterfieldNominated
Julian EllingworthNominated
Roger Savage Nominated
Andrew SteuartNominated
Best Production Design John StoddartWon
Best Costume Design Bruce FinlaysonWon
AWGIE Award Best Writing in a Feature Film – AdaptedMichael JenkinsWon
National Board of Review, USA Top Ten Films Won
Venice Film Festival Golden LionCarl SchultzNominated

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Bad Boy Bubby</i> 1993 Australian independent film

Bad Boy Bubby is a 1993 crime comedy-drama film written and directed by Rolf de Heer, and starring Nicholas Hope, Claire Benito, Ralph Cotterill, and Carmel Johnson.

David Sale, born Ernest Swindells is an English-born author, television screenwriter, playwright, producer, director, actor and journalist. He emigrated to Australia in 1950, and has contributed to many TV drama series, and provided special material for Australian entertainers.

Wendy Hughes was an Australian actress known for her work in theatre, film and television. Her career spanned more than 40 years and established her reputation as one of Australia's finest and most prolific actors. In her later career she acted in Happy New Year along with stars Peter Falk and Charles Durning. In 1993 she played Dr. Carol Blythe, M. E. in Homicide: Life on the Street. In the late 1990s, she starred in State Coroner and Paradise Road.

Sumner Locke Elliott was an Australian novelist and playwright.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nicholas Gledhill</span> Australian actor

Nicholas Martin Gledhill is an Australian film, stage actor, voice artist, writer and choreographer

<i>Evening</i> (film) 2007 American film

Evening is a 2007 American drama film directed by Lajos Koltai. The screenplay by Susan Minot and Michael Cunningham is based on the 1998 novel of the same name by Minot.

<i>Careful, He Might Hear You</i> (novel) 1963 novel by Sumner Locke Elliott

Careful, He Might Hear You is a Miles Franklin Award-winning novel by Australian author Sumner Locke Elliott. It was published in 1963 and was the author's first novel.

Lonely Hearts is a 1982 Australian film directed by Paul Cox which won the 1982 AFI Award for Best Film and was nominated in four other categories.

<i>The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith</i> (film) 1978 film by Fred Schepisi

The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith is a 1978 Australian drama film directed, written and produced by Fred Schepisi, and starring Tom E. Lewis, Freddy Reynolds and Ray Barrett. The film also featured early appearances by Bryan Brown, Arthur Dignam, and John Jarratt. It is an adaptation of the 1972 novel The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith by Thomas Keneally.

The More Things Change... is a 1986 film directed by Robyn Nevin.

<i>Some Doves and Pythons</i> 1966 novel by Sumner Locke Elliott

Some Doves and Pythons is a 1966 novel by Sumner Locke Elliott.

I Can't Get Started is a 1985 Australian television film about a man who writes a successful novel.

Water Under the Bridge is a 1980 miniseries based on the 1977 novel by Sumner Locke Elliott.

The 25th Australian Film Institute Awards were held at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on 24 September 1983. Presented by the Australian Film Institute (AFI), the awards celebrated the best in Australian feature film, documentary and short film productions of 1983.

<i>Doctor Doctor</i> (Australian TV series) Australian television drama series

Doctor Doctor is an Australian television drama created by Tony McNamara, Ian Collie and Alan Harris, which premiered on the Nine Network on 14 September 2016, lasting five seasons, concluding on 23 June 2021. The cast includes Rodger Corser, Nicole da Silva, Ryan Johnson, Tina Bursill, Hayley McElhinney and Steve Bisley, and follows the story of Hugh Knight, a rising heart surgeon who is gifted, charming and infallible. He is a hedonist who, due to his sheer talent, believes he can live outside the rules. His "work hard, play harder" philosophy eventually comes to 'bite' him. The series was originally produced by Essential Media & Entertainment and Easy Tiger Productions in association with Screen NSW. Andy Ryan and Jo Rooney served as executive producers.

Careful, He Might Hear You may refer to:

<i>An Indecent Obsession</i> (film) 1985 Australian film

An Indecent Obsession is a 1985 Australian film based on the 1981 novel of the same name by Colleen McCullough. It was shot on location at Lord Howe Island.

Ray Cook was an Australian composer, conductor and arranger. Born in Adelaide, he moved to the United Kingdom in 1960, where he died in London.

The Man Who Got Away is a 1972 novel by Sumner Locke Elliott. He wanted to write a book about the future.

About Tilly Beamis is a 1984 novel by Sumner Locke Elliott.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 David Stratton, The Avocado Plantation: Boom and Bust in the Australian Film Industry, Pan MacMillan, 1990 pp. 181–183
  2. "1983 Winners & Nominees". www.aacta.org. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  3. "Film Victoria – Australian Films at the Australian Box Office" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 February 2011. Retrieved 24 October 2010.
  4. "Umbrella Entertainment". Archived from the original on 26 November 2011. Retrieved 23 May 2013.